Don’t walk away; walk wisely
“If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.” – Ecclesiastes 10:4, CSB “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.” – Ecclesiastes 10:10, CSB
Keep Calm: Shaping the future
Keep Calm & Keep Going. Some quickly cave under pressure or criticism. “This job isn’t worth it!” or, “They don’t appreciate me.” Don’t leave your post, says the Teacher; stay calm and carry out your work. Your calmness under pressure demonstrates a depth of character, and may be revealing other things about you, things such as teachability, adaptability, resilience, and wisdom.
Whatever has irritated or offended your supervisor, overseer, or ‘ruler,’ your reaction to them will shape your own future. Their anger may be justified, or may not be, but your faithfulness to your own responsibility will shape others’ perception of you. It may even change their heart toward you, bringing rest to the relationship and to your own heart as well.
Sharpen that axe!
Sharpening your axe is not about quietly preparing to get even! This is about becoming better at what you do through seeking the wisdom to do it well. Keep learning; keep gaining wisdom and putting it into practice. Work. Practice. Learn. Sharpen. Repeat. Without continual sharpening, your edge gets dull, and then every swing takes more strength, every repetition wearing you down faster.
Deadlines are real, and bills must be paid, but don’t just keep swinging! Instead, take the opportunity to sharpen your skill. You’ll work that much faster because you’ll be more efficient. You’ll work happier; you’ll find greater success; you’ll be more effective; you’ll also have an inner sense of calm and confidence that will inspire calm and confidence in others too.
Think:
Can you remember a time when you kept your composure under criticism, were able to keep going, and your response cultivated favor in a relationship or work environment? How about a time when you ‘left your post,’ quit a job, or walked away from a commitment too quickly? (There are also times when walking away or resigning after careful consideration is appropriate.)
How do you handle conflict or correction? What are your responses demonstrating or suggesting to others about your faithfulness or your willingness to learn?
In what ways do you regularly ‘sharpen your axe’ in your area of expertise? How are you continuing to learn and improve? In what area or areas of expertise could you use some sharpening?
It’s sometimes hard to hit pause on our ongoing, necessary work in order to sharpen up our skills! Do you face any tension between knowing you need to pause ‘swinging the axe’ so you can improve your skill while not being sure exactly how to do it? Get some input from a trusted leader.
Prayer:
“Father, thank You for Your plans for me to keep growing in both Christlike character and skill. I know Your desire is for me to be able to carry on under both pressure and conflict, and I know You never designed me to just keep swinging mindlessly, or out of habit or guilt. You understand the rhythms of work and rest, swinging and sharpening. Help me to receive that sharpening when it’s initiated by others, and to grow in the discipline to sharpen my own skills regularly. By Your grace, help me to keep learning, keep maturing, and keep standing faithfully in the work You’ve commissioned me to do.”